As Christmas approaches senior Dionne Collins is thankful to be spending this year’s holidays with her father. Dionne can easily recall the feelings of seeing her dad leave for Iraq during her freshman year and she hopes to never experience it again though she knows it will be okay. A surge of hopelessness ran through her body as her father boarded the plane. The feeling is unrealistic. She’s not sure how to feel. Should she be sad? Should she be appreciative? Should she be scared?

When reality finally sinks in it’s hard to deal with the fact that her father is over 7,000 miles away. He is over 7,000 miles away fighting a war. He is over 7,000 miles away being a hero. He is over 7,000 miles away being someone else’s hero. The thought is absolutely maddening.

Sergeant Michael Collins enlisted in the military when he was 18 and has been proudly serving for 29 years. In the beginning of his service, he was stationed in Korea and Germany. His family is thankful he has only been deployed to Iraq twice.

Michael Collins makes a living driving semi-trucks for Gates Rubber Company. He is mostly gone during the week so Dionne and her brother, junior Walker Collins, are no strangers to their father being gone. While he has been gone their mother, Chalon Collins, has maintained the role of both mom and dad. She has worked many hours and became head of the household.

“She took care of me and Walker,” said Dionne. “My mom has been really strong. So even though my dad is gone it’s kinda normal.”

Though they are use to their father being gone, they are constantly reminded that he is not simply driving trucks. The Collins family is plagued with thoughts that Michael will get hurt or worse, he will never return. They turned to their faith, praying to God for Michael’s safe return.

“Praying is the one thing that keeps us calm while our dad is away,” said Walker.

The Collins are like many families who deal with the struggle of a loved one serving in war. Hour with A Hero gives students the opportunity to honor veterans. East Lab has hosted this Veterans Day presentation for the past four years.

East Lab invites different veterans to speak for every hour on Veterans Day. Every hour is a different experience with some heroes talking about their personal experiences, the true meaning of Veterans Day, and some try to educate about the military. Some stories were emotional, some had a touch of comic relief but all were heart touching.

“I’m proud of him,” said Dionne. “Not a lot of people are as strong willed as him. I’m happy because he likes serving. I know it’s his passion.”

After a year of writing letters and

talking on the phone once a week, they got news that he was coming home. Dionne was doubtful at first but she knows the second she see her father, it’ll be real. Relief rushes through her veins as she sees her father walk towards her. He and his team have made it back safely. He is finally home.